Ballad: Second COVID-19 related death in system, one additional Hawkins Co. hospital team member tests positive for virus

One additional death and a new case of COVID-19 has been reported by Ballad Health.

According to Jamie Swift, Ballad’s Corporate Director for Infection Prevention, an individual in the 51-60 age range in Sullivan County passed away, bringing the death total to 3 in the Northeast TN/Southwest VA area.

Swift also added that there has been a fourth team member at the Hawkins County Memorial hospital test positive for COVID-19, and stated all members have worked in direct patient care. Ballad is reporting a total of 77 cases in the region, an 18 case jump in the last 24 hours. Ballad CEO Alan Levine says since March 17th, they have tested about 1,000 people while receiving roughly 30-35 positive cases.

According to the TN and VA state health departments, 75 positive cases have been recognized in our area. As of Thursday, no new cases were reported by state health officials in Southwest VA. The TN Dept. of Health will release their latest figures today at 3:00 p.m.